Current Research
1. Laboratory infrastructure
- DSC - Differential scanning calorimeter
- TGA - Thermogravimetric analyser
- FTIR spectrometer
- WD-XRF - Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
- Elemental analyser
- Microwave oven
- UV-VIS spectrophotometer with integrating sphere
- Mills (centrifugal, knife)
- High-pressure gasification reactor (150 bar)
- High-temperature reactor (500oC)
- Small biomass boiler (25 kW)
- Biomass gasifier
- Gas chromatograph
- Gas analyser
2. Flows with reactions
As part of the department's work, thermodynamic cycles with a gas turbine and a high-temperature SOFC fuel cell have been analysed. The group has a broad range of knowledge in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and chemistry. One of the research topics is flows with chemical reactions. We have experience in numerical calculations of both equilibrium states of multicomponent systems and processes related to chemical reaction kinetics.
3. Biodiesel production from waste and biomass
Biomass is the basic source of renewable energy in Poland. The Department conducts research on processing biomass into gaseous and liquid fuels. Together with Adam Cenian's group, a test stand for thermal biomass depolymerisation was built. It consists of a high-pressure reactor, a heater, a control system and a measurement setup. Wet waste and biomass will be processed on the stand into high-quality biodiesel.
4. Fuel and boiler laboratory
Work is underway to build a fuel and boiler laboratory, which will be one of the test stands of the micro-cogeneration plant. Its integral elements will include, for example, tanks for various types of biomass, a biomass transport system, a boiler, a gasification reactor and a flue-gas cleaning installation. Their operation will be supervised by a measurement system recording, among other things, temperature, pressure, humidity, flows, fuel parameters for combustion and heat losses to the surroundings.
Other work
In addition, the Department of Renewable Energy conducts research and projects in the following areas:
- Studies of co-combustion processes of coal and biomass in power boilers,
- Prevention of sulphur corrosion in boilers,
- Use of sewage sludge,
- Modelling of the coal coking process,
- Design and construction of a boiler for a micro-cogeneration plant,
- Pyrolysis of biomass and waste,
- Production of fuels from waste in thermal depolymerisation processes,
- Design and analysis of biomass boiler operation,
- Production of synthesis gas from biomass in low-power reactors,
- Numerical modelling of flows with chemical reactions in gasification reactors,
- CFD calculations of combustion and heat transfer processes in power boilers,
- CFD in combustion chambers and spark-ignition engines, heat transfer in microchannels.